Help bleeding 987.1 coolant after water pump and thermostat install
09-08-2017, 11:59 AM
#16
I'm not quite getting the logic here. If the tool works to fill a coolant system, it also has to be able to pull fluid through a partially full system, seems to me.
09-08-2017, 01:17 PM
#17
Instructor
Never done it, but I assume if you had some air pockets, fluid would be sucked out as your start to pull a vacuum, but maybe depending on the size and location of the pockets, not all would be removed? So maybe you're left with a few small pockets that would work their way out? I guess I can see that using it on a partially full system might not work as well as on a totally empty system, but seems like a good first step as the OP demonstrated. Then you just top it off over the next few driving cycles. If that doesn't work, drain the system and start over. I dunno - just guessing. [Edit: just noticed it was MrMoose, not the OP, that mentioned it had worked.]
Last edited by danschy; 09-08-2017 at 06:32 PM.
09-08-2017, 03:07 PM
#18
Track Day
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Never done it, but I assume if you had some air pockets, fluid would be sucked out as your start to pull a vacuum, but maybe depending on the size and location of the pockets, not all would be removed? So maybe you're left with a few small pockets that would work their way out? I guess I can see that using it on a partially full system might not work as well as on a totally empty system, but seems like a good first step as the OP demonstrated. Then you just top it off over the next few driving cycles. If that doesn't work, drain the system and start over. I dunno - just guessing.
Yes, it is the same process for a 3rd Radiator install.
I ended up with the $120 brand because the $80 version wasn't shipping for weeks.
09-08-2017, 04:29 PM
#19
Burning Brakes
Vacuum tool will work if there's a bit of fluid in there, no idea what it'll do if the system is mostly full. Be careful to cover the outlet or it'll probably spit fluid as you pull vacuum.
If if it were me I'd just drain the coolant and refill with the vacuum tool from scratch. Don't know about the 987.1, but on the 987.2 a coolant drain is pretty easy.
If if it were me I'd just drain the coolant and refill with the vacuum tool from scratch. Don't know about the 987.1, but on the 987.2 a coolant drain is pretty easy.
Last edited by MrMoose; 09-08-2017 at 07:33 PM. Reason: Clarification
09-08-2017, 06:36 PM
#20
Instructor
Just wondering, when you replaced the water pump did you let the coolant drain out? I've seen some people advocate clamping the hoses closed to minimize fluid loss. Based on this thread I'm thinking you just want to let it all run out, but maybe that is what you did.
09-08-2017, 07:04 PM
#21
Rennlist Member
Coolant
I had my 6k mile '10S Box coolant changed based on time. Drawing a vacuum is the key--gauge spiked after 10 min run, shut off, restart, right at 175 degrees for another 10", repeat. Took maybe 8 oz. Problem persisted. Drained fully, redone, 45" vacuum, 2 oz. Did the trick. A PITA process.
09-09-2017, 12:06 AM
#22
Addict
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I watched my mechanic change the coolant in my Spyder and a vacuum tool was required to pull the coolant in.
09-11-2017, 08:55 PM
#23
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Yes. At almost 12 years old I figured it couldn't hurt.
10-06-2017, 02:26 PM
#24
Rennlist Member
Vacuum tool works on system with coolant in it.
When you pull to 25" on the gauge it collapses the hoses (normal) and squeezes out some coolant.
Put the tools exhaust hose in a bucket to catch expelled coolant.
If you suspect a leak shut the valve and disconnect the air supply. Give it 10 - 15 minutes and check the gauge to see if it lost any vacuum. If no leak fill a clean bucket with mix and suck it back into the system.
Make sure that you have more than you need in your feed bucket so that you don't suck air in at the end.
VW/Audi coolant is ~$22 a gallon at VW dealer. Porsche is much more.
When you pull to 25" on the gauge it collapses the hoses (normal) and squeezes out some coolant.
Put the tools exhaust hose in a bucket to catch expelled coolant.
If you suspect a leak shut the valve and disconnect the air supply. Give it 10 - 15 minutes and check the gauge to see if it lost any vacuum. If no leak fill a clean bucket with mix and suck it back into the system.
Make sure that you have more than you need in your feed bucket so that you don't suck air in at the end.
VW/Audi coolant is ~$22 a gallon at VW dealer. Porsche is much more.